Instructor Certification Programs

Big White Ski Resort hosts a number of Instructor Qualification or Improvement courses throughout the season. The CSIA Level 1 course is a skier’s first step into the world of instructing. Dates and registration details can be found below. Snowboarders wishing to get qualified should visit www.CASI-ACMS.com for more information.

We are extremely excited to welcome back SnowSkool and Nothin’ But Snow, two renowned Instructor Training organizations which offer the opportunity to improve and gain qualification in either skiing or snowboarding over a number of weeks. Click the tabs below and visit their websites for exact dates and details.

As well as providing you with the opportunity to train for your level 1 CASI or CSIA, Snow Rehab also offers ski/ride improvement courses, not to mention courses for existing Level 1 instructors to improve their level and therefore employ-ability within the ski industry. Check out the tab below for more information! With EA you get a full internship working with children in the Big White Kids' Centre, coaching to Level 1 and beyond, and practical, hands on experience of the world of instructing. For more information, and to get in touch with EA, click the tab!

If you are a strong parallel skier, become a pro or learn to ski and teach like one! A great way to earn some extra money. Participants are introduced to the CSIA’s innovative, effective skiing techniques and teaching methods. Offered eight times this season!

For Level 2 courses and higher with the CSIA, CASI and the CSCF, more information is available at www.snowpro.com.

Become a ski or snowboard instructor and live the dream

It’s set to be another fantastic season for SnowSkool! For the past 6 years Big White has been home to a group of aspiring ski instructors. They come from all over the world with the goal of leaving Big White as a Level 1 or 2 CSIA Ski or CASI Snowboard instructor. And with 100% success rate it’s been a fantastic 6 years! This year the program is bigger than ever with 57 participants. What’s life like when you go to SnowSkool? Well you get 39 days of professional training in Skiing or Snowboarding from our top professional instructors, luxury accommodation, lift pass and meal plan so it’s no wonder it is such a success!

The Big White Ski & Board School is working alongside SnowSkool to offer five-week and eleven-week ski & snowboard instructor training programs. The residential programs will give you the organisation and training to allow you to sit the Level 1 (five week course) and Level 2 exams (eleven week course) of the CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance) and the CASI (Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors), fast-tracking your development and leading to a career as a ski instructor or snowboard instructor.

Whatever your reasons for doing the SnowSkool course at Big White – a fun and constructive gap year experience, beginning a career as an instructor or simply improving your on-snow skills beyond measure – you are sure to have the experience of a lifetime in the magical environment that is Big White.

On-Snow - Why Big White?

Big White Ski Resort has wide cruisey blue runs perfect for fine-tuning technique and acres of black, double-black and off-piste terrain that challenge you to take your skiing/ riding to a level you never thought possible. Students on the SnowSkool Big White instructor training course will be taught by the most highly-qualified and experienced pros in the Big White Ski & Board School and training will take place for five hours per day, five days per week. In my opinion, the SnowSkool course at Big White offers the ultimate grounding for a career in snowsports instruction.

- Josh Foster, Director of Snow Sports

Off-Snow - Why SnowSkool?

The off-snow aspects of your instructor course in Big White will be organised by SnowSkool. SnowSkool has been operating instructor training at Big White since 2005.

More Info

During that time, more than 200 people have graduated from our programmes as a ski or snowboard instructor. Indeed many of them are currently working at Big White! From the moment you arrive in Canada, SnowSkool will be there to ensure that you are well looked after; we’ll meet you at the airport and transfer you to your luxury ski-in/ski-out apartment on the mountain.

Evening meals are organised for you in-house or as a group at a local restaurant. The SnowSkool Big White reps are responsible for your pastoral needs, they will organise your social schedule and take care of your every need; allowing you to focus 100% on your skiing or snowboarding.

For Level 2 courses and higher with the CSIA, CASI and the CSCF, more information is available at www.snowpro.com.

NothinButSnow works directly with Big White's Ski and Board School to provide an incredible selection of instructor training courses at fantastic value for money.

Completed over 4, 6, 10 and 11 weeks, they provide the perfect choice for those looking to improve their ability or move in to an exciting ski or snowboard career. All courses include qualifications from the CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance) and CASI (Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors).

11 Week Training Course

Our season long 11 week training course gives students the opportunity to train with some of Canada’s top professional ski and snowboard instructors at Big White.

More Info

Training takes place over 42 days, Monday to Friday, 5 hours per day. Encompassing both CASI/CSIA Level 1 and 2 certifications, students have access to 49-51 days tuition respectively. Those looking to take a short course can opt for our 4 week training programme which includes the CASI/CSIA Level 1 certification.

Packaging all this tuition with return flights, luxury accommodation, private hot tub, a full season pass and meals we know we offer the best value instructor training courses money can buy.

10 Week Dual Discipline Course

The 10 week dual discipline course aims to have you riding at a Level 1 standard in both skiing and snowboarding.

More Info

This intensive course is ideal for the intermediate skier or snowboarder that wants to excel in both disciplines. Achieving both CSIA Level 1 and CASI Level 1 makes you a more desirable employee due to your flexibility in being able to teach both skiing and snowboarding. Perfect if your thinking about moving in to the industry.

6 Week Freestyle Course

Our 6 week freestyle course is aimed at getting you qualified as either a freestyle ski or snowboard instructor.

More Info

On this course you will train towards your CSIA or CASI Level 1 before progressing on to the freestyle certifications. Skiers will train towards their Snow Park qualification and snowboarders will train towards their Park Instructor Level 1 & 2 qualifications.

Why Nothing But Snow?

We reckon that we love skiing and snowboarding even more than you do! So booking with a company that loves the sport and one that is so very passionate about it is a great start.

More Info

We aim to provide you with everything you need to be successful whilst enjoying your time in such an incredible environment. We don’t think of ourselves as just another company offering ski and snowboard instructor training, but a community of like minded people with a love of the sport and the outdoors.

Providing a complete package at great value with no compromise in quality is our goal, with an aim to bring and encourage as many people as possible in to skiing and snowboarding.

With every aspect of your trip taken care of by our friendly on site NBS reps. Your focus is completely dedicated to improving your on snow ability and enjoying the whole social experience.

Only those of us who have snow running through our veins understand how addictive the winter is!

Snow Rehab is the only place you can get anywhere close to rehabilitation for your snow addiction. We do this here at Big White with a few different options, varying from 4, 6 or 12 week improver courses to improve your skiing or snowboarding and Instructor courses to focus on increasing your CSIA or CASI certification levels.

Our team director Gordon sat down with Big White Ski and Board School Director Josh Foster to discuss if there was anything we could do to offer something extra to snow addicts or existing instructors. We are stoked to be working together for the first year delivering awesome improvement courses for those who want to rip like instructors but not teach and dedicated courses to become an Instructor or for Level 1 and Level 2 instructors to go to another level.

Instructor Courses

The instructor courses are 5 or 9 weeks of dedicated training, spread over 6 or 12 weeks, to obtain high levels of success for level 1 & 2 certifications.

More Info

Snow Rehab and Big White feel that many instructors working with these certifications and already teaching others, are missing out on the opportunity to focus on their own skill, thus staying at the same level. During your time in Snow Rehab you will receive professional training, focusing on what is required for you to either obtain a CSIA/CASI level 2 or level 3 certification. You will be training with colleagues in the same mind set and who have the same goals, to become more highly qualified and make you sought after within the Snow Sports industry.

The reason Snow Rehab has chosen Big White specifically for these courses is due to the high level of instructors Josh Foster has chosen within his team, the terrain of the surrounding mountains and the amazing snow record. All of which will push you in the direction of success.

Improvement Courses

Why not check yourself into one of our improver courses. Not everybody wants to teach others how to ski or snowboard, but we feel that a lot of people want to rip like the instructors.

More Info

Snow Rehab has found there are more and more early retired, retired individuals, people who want a career break or change and those who just want a gap year before or after studying at university who can take this time to receive focused training from the Big White professional Ski and Board School Instructors.

You can participate on one of our courses from as little as 4 weeks or you can join a 6 or 12 week course, the choice is your. More time on snow the better you will become and the closer to being rehabilitated to your snow addiction.

During the course you will receive 5 hours per day training. You will also have the option to try a week training in the other discipline; boarding for skiers, skiing for boarders and will also get free time away from day to day training to rip with your buddies.

Advice about life as an instructor will be available upon request for those who may be interested!

Why Snow Rehab?

Our team are all self confessed snow addicts, passionate about the mountains but more importantly, passionate about taking you to that next level.

More Info

We have had our time on snow over many years and really will help you enjoy your time with us. Not only will you get the same from us as you will on other courses but we will deliver more meal choices, road trips, off snow activities, nutritional advice, fitness programs, parties and much more.

EA Instructor Internship Program

In conjunction with Big White Resort, EA Ski and Snowboard offer an early season training and certification camp followed by an instructor position.

This rare opportunity to become an instructor in the Big White Ski & Board School before Christmas is by application only and there are limited places available each season. You need to be able to meet criteria for ski and/or snowboarding ability as well as have applicable experience working with people.

Package options include everything you need for your ultimate winter becoming an instructor including: accommodation, training, industry membership and materials, Level 1 exam, on ground support (including airport pick up and city orientations), social events, continued training towards Level 2, first aid, avalanche and back-country opportunities as well as a bag full of exciting development opportunities through being a part of the Big White Ski & Board School.

Dates: Begins late November and runs through to the end of the season.

Cost: Course options start at $6950 USD with early booking discounts available

"My season as an EA intern at Big White Ski School was an awesome experience. I learned from some of the best trainers in the world, and they really know how to inspire and bring out the best in you. It's an amazing place to work and ski too, as the ethos of having fun whilst working hard is the same whether or not you're a top manager or a rookie pro. The social events, the perfectly maintained terrain park, bundles of super-light Okanagan powder and the opportunity to experience life as a Ski Pro within one of the very best Ski Schools in the world... Big White's got the lot.

As a first step for anyone thinking of a career in ski teaching and coaching, I genuinely believe there's no better starting point than Big White's EA Internships. You get a real understanding, rather than just theoretical knowledge and as an intern you also learn from your colleagues and earn a wage instructing whilst doing so."